Welcome to the 5th edition of The African Agripreneur !
The focus of this edition is Profitable High Value Alternative Crops for the African Agripreneur! We have compiled a special showcase in partnership with the Southern African Essential Oil Producers’ Association (SAEOPA) on opportunities in the essential oils and natural products sector. We also highlight some other, less well known field and tree crops with great potential to enhance farming diversification and profitability. I trust that this will stimulate thinking and create new opportunities for your business. We also provide access to a variety of resources to assist you in the process of exploring these business opportunities.
Please contact us where you need more information, contact details of suppliers or other assistance. Maryna Muller – Co-Editor
“The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction.” Proverbs 21:21 (TPT)
ESSENTIAL OILS FEATURE In partnership with the SA Essential Oil Producer’s Association
Highland Essential Oils: Medicinal Plant Cultivation & Processing at its Best!
Highland Essential Oils is an innovative family-owned agribusiness with its main farming operation in the Free State Provice of South Africa and a subsidiary company Zambezi Essential Oils in ZAMBIA. The farms produce and process coriander, yarrow, rosemary, thyme, orris root, tagete, artemisia and marjoram for the food, medicinal, perfume and industrial markets at national and international levels. READ MORE
The Southern African Essential Oil Producers’ Association (SAEOPA) at Your Service
SAEOPA was formed by the farming community to assist existing and potential farmers in this sector. The Association represents growers, processors and distributors as well as ancillary product and service providers and is ready to assist growers, processors and other interested parties from elsewhere in Africa with guidance and advice. READ MORE
Top 10 FAQs about Growing Lavender For Profit
Growing lavender for profit can be a great way to turn your love of herbs and gardening into a solid income from selling lavender plants and the value-added products you can make. Lavender is experiencing a renewal of popularity as a culinary and medicinal herb, and as a fragrant addition to cosmetics from perfumes to body lotions. If you’re thinking about lavender farming, here are 10 common questions & answers about this remarkable herb. READ MORE
The Medical and Economic Potential of Indigenous Plants
The Natural Products Association of Botswana (NPAB) is an association representing producers and parties with indigenous knowledge of the natural and indigenous products sector. They believe the natural and indigenous sector must lead the way for Botswana to create a new economy! READ MORE
OUT-of-the-BOX Alternative Crops
A Guide to Farming Saffron from a South Africa Pioneer Entrepreneur
Saffron is famed for being the world’s most expensive spice. Thousands of corns yield just a few grams of saffron. In this article South Africa’s first saffron farmer, Renske van Zyl, explains the process of growing this delicate spice. READ MORE
Farming Ginger For Profit
Ginger is a warm climate plant. It can also be grown indoors in cool/temperate areas. Cultivating ginger is costly on all fronts: time, labour and water. But managed correctly the crop adds good cash flow to a farming business. This article gives an overview of the basic ginger production guidelines and requirements. READ MORE
The Opportunity & Success of Pyrethrum: Substantial Business Potential
Pyrethrum, or “py,” is a plant-based insecticide extracted from heads of dried chrysanthemum flowers. It is farmed by rural farmers in Africa. In this article we relate how the Rwanda Pyrethrum Project has improved the fortunes of countless small scale farmers and provide a wealth of additional resources for those interested in this cropping opportunity. READ MORE
Zimbabwean Farmer Strikes Gold with Castor Bean
Kent Yeatman, a farmer based in the drought-prone Binga district in Matabeleland North, believes he has finally struck the right chord by venturing into castor bean production. Over the years, Yeatman tried growing sugar cane, tobacco, coffee, citrus fruits and vegetables, but all that failed to give him the desired results due to unfavourable climatic conditions in the province as well as low prices, among other factors… READ MORE
Tree Crops with a DIFFERENCE
Jackfruit Goes Global: How This Superfood is Becoming the World’s Preferred Meat Alternative
A large, spiky, green coloured fruit called ‘jackfruit’ has been making appearances at markets and restaurant menus around the world. In 2017, Pinterest even declared it to be the top food trend of the year. Its fans in non-native countries often get to see jackfruit in the form of neat cubes packed in cans. Let’s take a look at what the jackfruit looks like before it is packed and exported. READ MORE
Baobab Holds out Promise for African Farmers and Forests
When it was first licensed for the European food market six years ago, baobab was proclaimed a superfood to rival quinoa, blueberries and kale. Its yellow-green, suede-soft pods contain a dry pulp that has more vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk, more potassium than a banana, more magnesium than spinach, and more iron than red meat. And then there is the tree that bears it. The baobab attracts myths and legends, just as its flowers draw the bats that pollinate them. READ MORE
RECOMMENDED AGRIPRENEUR EVENTS
“Making the most of the land for the best quality products”
You are cordially invited to attend the 3rd webinar in this series by the SA Essential Oils Producers’ Association to be hosted on Thursday, 15/10/20 at 14:00 CET. The topic is: Quality control across the value chain, value adding and the use of by- products Speakers: Prof Mark Blumenthal, Dr Aubrey Parsons & Ms Margaret Bass. READ MORE
Global Trade Review GTR AFRICA 2020 VIRTUAL
Global Trade Review is delighted to announce its exciting new plans for GTR Africa 2020 Virtual, which will take place on October 20-23. Drawing on the high-level expertise, comprehensive market coverage and unrivalled industry connections of GTR’s Africa-focused gatherings in Cape Town, Victoria Falls and London, this exciting online event will combine a mixture of live-streamed and pre-recorded content and targeted networking through GTR’s dynamic virtual event platform. READ MORE
